PORTLAND, Maine – Maine voters repealed a state law Tuesday that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed, dealing the gay rights movement a heartbreaking defeat in New England, the corner of the country most supportive of gay marriage.
Gay marriage has now lost in every single state — 31 in all — in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine — known for its moderate, independent-minded electorate — and mounted an energetic, well-financed campaign.
With 87 percent of the precincts reporting, gay-marriage foes had 53 percent of the votes.
"The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation," declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer for the winning side.
Gay-marriage supporters held out hope that the tide would shift before conceding defeat at 2:40 a.m. in a statement that insisted they weren't going away.
"We're in this for the long haul. For next week, and next month, and next year — until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for," said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign.
At issue was a law passed by the Maine Legislature last spring that would have legalized same-sex marriage. The law was put on hold after conservatives launched a petition drive to repeal it in a referendum.
The outcome Tuesday marked the first time voters had rejected a gay-marriage law enacted by a legislature. When Californians put a stop to same-sex marriage a year ago, it was in response to a court ruling, not legislation.
Five other states have legalized gay marriage — starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa — but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot.
The defeat left some gay-marriage supporters bitter.
"Our relationship is between us," said Carla Hopkins, 38, of Mount Vernon, with partner Victoria Eleftherio, 38, sitting on her lap outside a hotel ballroom where gay marriage supporters had been hoping for a victory party. "How does that affect anybody else? It's a personal thing."
The contest had been viewed by both sides as certain to have national repercussions. Gay-marriage foes desperately wanted to keep their winning streak alive, while gay-rights activists sought to blunt the argument that gay marriage was being foisted on the country by courts and lawmakers over the will of the people.
Had Maine's law been upheld, the result would probably have energized efforts to get another vote on gay marriage in California, and given a boost to gay-marriage bills in New York and New Jersey.
Earlier Tuesday, before vote-counting began, gay-marriage foe Chuck Schott of Portland warned that Maine "will have its place in infamy" if the gay-rights side won.
Another Portland resident, Sarah Holman said she was "very torn" but decided — despite her conservative upbringing — to vote in favor of letting gays marry.
"They love and they have the right to love. And we can't tell somebody how to love," said Holman, 26.
In addition to reaching out to young people who flocked to the polls for President Barack Obama a year ago, gay-marriage defenders tried to appeal to Maine voters' pronounced independent streak and live-and-let-live attitude.
The other side based many of its campaign ads on claims — disputed by state officials — that the new law would mean "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools.
Both sides in Maine drew volunteers and contributions from out of state, but the money edge went to the campaign in defense of gay marriage, Protect Maine Equality. It raised $4 million, compared with $2.5 million for Stand for Marriage Maine.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, voters in Washington state voted on whether to uphold or overturn a recently expanded domestic partnership law that entitles same-sex couples to the same state-granted rights as heterosexual married couples. With half the precincts reporting, that race was too close to call.
In Kalamazoo, Mich., voters approved a measure that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091104/ap_on_el_st_lo/us_gay_marriage_maine
PORTLAND,... more
In Italy, the law against homophobia didn't passed, while in the US president Barack Obama signed a law that states as a federal crime any attack against a person only for his sexual orientation or sexual identity. http://www.inaltreparole.net/en/world/leggecontroomofobiausa011109.htmlIn Italy, the law against homophobia didn't passed, while in the US president Barack... more
Identical twin Indie duo Tegan and Sara have been busy winning awards and producing work across genres since they first burst onto the scene in Canada back in 1995. Since then, they have been vocal in their support for various causes, including gay rights.
Causecast’s Brandon Deroche recently caught up with the twins to discuss their take on Prop 8, civil marriage in Canada, community service, the Love Unites movement and being out in the music industry.
CC: What are the causes you’re passionate about?
Tegan: Well, obviously most recently, our last American tour kind of fell at the exact same time as the American election. Obviously the election itself was extremely important to us, but the whole Prop 8 thing was very close to home for us as gay artists; we were obviously really hoping that Prop 8 would not pass in California. I was here for a month and a half after that, so I went to all the marches and you know, blogged online and tried to get people to support. Sara and I both did the Love Unites posters. We really tried to get involved and sort of wrap my head around how that happened. Like how California itself wasn’t supportive of gay marriage just didn’t seem to make much sense at the time. It was very anti-climatic to hear that President Obama was President, and then to hear that Prop 8 passed – it was like "ehh, I’m sad and happy all at the same time.” So confusing…so Prop 8 was kind of the last thing that we got involved in. We’re obviously still monitoring all of that and doing what we can to make sure that people know that still needs to change obviously.
“We weren’t a gay band, we were gay people in a band.”
- Sara Quinn
Before that, the last thing we did was a huge fundraiser for an organization back home in Canada, in British Columbia specifically, that raises money for kids from low income or single parent families to do music lessons. They do basically like a certain amount of scholarships a year, so that was the last big thing we were in because obviously being musicians…when we were growing up, we came from a single parent family, my grandparents helped out. They bought us our first piano. We were lucky we had family members to help us out, but lots of kids, there’s no funds for them to get into music now that schools are cutting all their music programs. It’s really sad, so this organization started and approached us because one of our dear friends who was our lawyer, he passed away from cancer, and they started this portion of the charity that was in his name and we were like “Oh my God this is so amazing!” So that’s the last big thing that we did.
CC: Have you had many of your fans share stories?
Sara: Yeah. I mean, countless. Especially since we were ‘out’ when we started our career like 10 years ago, so it was always something that the fans have been aware of. So there was obviously in the beginning a lot of kids interested in the band I think for really personal reasons. I don’t think they weren’t interested in us as musicians too, but I think that, I mean I know from even when we were teenagers growing up, people that were even just like queer allies like Kathleen Hanna or Ani DiFranco or whatever…those people, their statements, even just talking about it, using the words, were so important and I think that lots of people don’t even realize that even gay people now who didn’t necessarily grow up in the 80’s or 90’s or whatever where things weren’t spoken about so casually in press or on television, when somebody who you looked up to and respected would talk about it there was a relief, someone you could identify with. So much about culture is about seeing ourselves – on television or in film, in music, in magazines. So often we don’t see people who resemble us. We see the real extremes or the fringe of what represents us, but I remember when we first started just touring and playing music and talking about it in the press. It was like we were kind of the first young people who were in a band, and we weren’t a gay band, we were gay people in a band. I think that was a huge distinction when we first started playing music. So the stories are endless.
It’s not even just kids who are gay, but it’s as heart wrenching as parents, it’s siblings, it’s people in the military, it’s just people in general who maybe were a bit close minded about things and then they meet us and they start talking to us and we sort of push those boundaries. We’re not like a “Oh, we don’t wanna talk about it cause we don’t want our band to be that kind of band.” We are those kind of people. So if that makes our band that kind of band then…it’s not even a question, I just can’t even imagine it. We also really early on realized we were not a political band, but we were super political people and we knew that there was a change coming. We were right at the beginning of that change and I think it was super important for Tegan and I at whatever cost, being out, whatever effect that was going to have on our career, we knew we wanted to be a part of that movement and we didn’t want to be one of the bands that like came out later when it was safe. Like, we wanted to be…we were willing to take that risk.
CC: What’s the difference in laws in Canada regarding gay marriage?
Sara: We’re allowed to get married! (laughs)
Tegan: 2004 was when it was common law. It only became legal to get married. But I think it was actually 2006 that it became legal to actually get married. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that it was a little later…
Sara: The civil marriage act went through in 2004. It was at an interesting time because it was when we still had a liberal government and they were just about to be thrown out and the conservative party, our sort of republican party, was about to come in. It was one of the last things that our prime minister did.
Tegan: Let’s google it!http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/tegan-and-sara-interview_n_338793.html... more
Harry, you’re supposed to be a believer. A true Mormon would stand with his LDS leaders on the sanctity of marriage. How dare you come out publically siding with gays and criticizing Mormon officials saying “that resources should have been put to better use.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stands on principle, not politics. You’ve been in bed with Obama and Pelosi too long … it’s time you were kicked out.
-Harry, you’re supposed to be a believer. A true Mormon would stand with his LDS... more
Sixteen years after passage of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, there is reason to hope that the military is edging away from its destructive opposition to allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly. At the very least, a prize-winning essay in a prominent military journal suggests that the issue is open to debate and even dissent.
The essay, which won this year’s Secretary of Defense essay contest and was reviewed in advance of publication by the office of Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was published in Joint Force Quarterly. It was written by an Air Force colonel who researched the impact of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The law was enacted in 1993 after President Bill Clinton tried to lift an existing policy against homosexuals serving in the military and met strong resistance from military and Congressional leaders.
By cementing homophobic military policy into law, Congress made a bad situation worse. It reached a so-called compromise by which homosexuals could serve — but only if they did not acknowledge their orientation or act on it. If they did, they could be discharged. About 12,500 service members have been forced out, including many with distinguished records or invaluable language and intelligence skills.
The author of the essay, Col. Om Prakash, effectively demolishes the primary, wrongheaded rationale for the law: that unit cohesion would be harmed if homosexuals served openly. Several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel and Britain, have lifted bans on homosexuals serving openly with no adverse effects on military performance or readiness.
Colonel Prakash argues that the law has undermined unit cohesion, in part by compromising the integrity of homosexuals who have to dissemble and by posing a moral quandary for commanders — look the other way or risk discharging a valuable service member. He judged the policy a “costly failure” because of the lost manpower and the administrative costs of recruiting and separating homosexuals. He urged the Obama administration to examine how to repeal the ban.
We agree strongly with Colonel Prakash, and urge the Pentagon to press ahead with changes in its regulations to make implementing the “don’t ask” law more humane. Ultimately, Congress must repeal the 1993 statute. We are not confident that the Senate has enough enlightened members to overcome a filibuster. But if the military can show an open mind, surely lawmakers can summon the courage to end this sad chapter in history.Sixteen years after passage of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, there is... more
This video clip features Dan at University of Maryland, speaking on the tough subject of coming out to a very Christian family. It gives you a little perspective when you hear the story he tells of the abuse that a boyfriend of his suffered at the hands of his father -- an evangelical Baptist minister.This video clip features Dan at University of Maryland, speaking on the tough subject... more
The Luthern Church was to vote on continuing to allow practicing homosexuals as clergy at 2:00pm on August 19th.
An act of God happened at the same time the vote was to take place.
The Lutheran Church was struck by a freak tornado. Its steeple was stripped, and the cross on its top was turned UPSIDE DOWN.Coincidence or co-incidents?
The Luthern Church was to vote on continuing to allow... more
What if you had a clone of yourself and you had intercourse with it? Here is the question that comes up.....What if you had a clone of yourself and you had intercourse with it? Here is the... more
Bryan checks out a TV stunt guaranteed to be ratings gold: the lady lip-lock.
That's Gay is a recurring segment on the weekly television show infoMania. In each episode of That's Gay, Bryan Safi explores gay issues and stereotypes as they are portrayed by the clueless media. For more Bryan visit http://current.com/groups/thats-gay/ and Current TV.
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, Bryan Safi and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://infomaniafacebook.com.Bryan checks out a TV stunt guaranteed to be ratings gold: the lady lip-lock.... more
One half of the duo known as Speidi made it onto the cover of 'Playboy,' which means she made it into 'We've Got You Covered,' Conor Knighton's weekly roundup of what's in the glossies. He reads them so you don't have to. Also includes Vegas' money woes, aliens, Sherri Shepherd, Barack and the gays, Hollywood salaries, Patricia Heaton on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' Carrie Underwood's scrape, and sheep!
We've Got You Covered is a recurring segment on Current TV's weekly television show, infoMania. In each episode of We've Got You Covered, Conor Knighton catches you up on everything you need to know about what's in this week's magazines. For more We've Got You Covered visit: http://current.com/groups/weve-got-you-covered/ and Current TV.
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, Bryan Safi and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://infomaniafacebook.com.One half of the duo known as Speidi made it onto the cover of 'Playboy,' which means... more
This week on infoMania the news wants you to know they're hip to Woodstock's 40th anniversary, two shows that celebrate the strange joy of child beauty pageants, Bryan discovers that lesbian kisses equal TV ratings gold, Sergio looks at the hottest pop videos on YouTube, and Brett explores the free health care option that is the world wide web.
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, Bryan Safi and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://infomaniafacebook.com.This week on infoMania the news wants you to know they're hip to Woodstock's 40th... more
Bryan goes undercover to investigate gay characters in TV ads.
That's Gay is a recurring segment on the weekly television show infoMania. In each episode of That's Gay, Bryan Safi explores gay issues and stereotypes as they are portrayed by the clueless media. For more Bryan visit http://current.com/groups/thats-gay/ and Current TV.
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, Bryan Safi and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://infomaniafacebook.com.Bryan goes undercover to investigate gay characters in TV ads.
That's Gay is a... more
This week on infoMania Spike TV tells you how stupid people die, reality tv stars have trouble with English, Shark Week reminds us that sharks are out to kill all humans, Brett explores the strange phenomenon of YouTube haul videos, Bryan goes cruising for gay characters on television commercials, and Sergio counts down the top R&B jams on iTunes.
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, Bryan Safi and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://infomaniafacebook.com.This week on infoMania Spike TV tells you how stupid people die, reality tv stars have... more
Bruno is finally here but does it help the gay movement or put it one swishy step back?
infoMania is a half-hour satirical news show that airs on Current TV. The show puts a comedic spin on the 24-hour chaos and information overload brought about by the constant bombardment of the media. Hosted by Conor Knighton and co-starring Brett Erlich, Sarah Haskins, Ben Hoffman, and Sergio Cilli, the show airs on Thursdays at 10 pm Eastern and Pacific Times and can be found online at http://current.com/infomania/ or on Current TV. And make sure to check out our facebook profile for special features at http://infomaniafacebook.com.Bruno is finally here but does it help the gay movement or put it one swishy step... more
Even before the US secretary of defence, Robert Gates, announced that he wanted to make the law dealing with gays in the military "more humane", supporters of "don't ask, don't tell", or DADT, the regulation that bans gay men and lesbians from openly serving in the US military, began overlooking the facts in order to maintain the policy.
The New York Times quoted Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, to help explain why the Obama administration is unwilling to begin the process of repealing DADT. Perkins asserted that "the administration is not willing to go there … because I think the American public isn't there."
Elaine Donnelly, president of the Centre for Military Readiness, pointed to a different rationale in a recent interview with National Public Radio. Donnelly admits that American culture may have changed, but she wrongly claims that "military culture has not changed. [DADT] is just as valid now as it ever was."
Perkins and Donnelly's statements may have been true when President Bill Clinton tried to end the ban on gays in the military in 1993, but they are no longer true today.
In 1993 only 44% of the American people supported ending the ban. This number steadily increased in the intervening years — 62% favoured lifting the ban in 2001 and 75% favoured its repeal as of last year.
More importantly the men and women in uniform also no longer favour this discriminatory, costly and counterproductive policy. In 1993, 75% of service men and 55% of service women opposed lifting the ban. But service members' opinions have come full circle in the last decade and half. A December 2006 Zogby International poll [PDF] found that 73% of military personnel say they are comfortable interacting with gay people.Even before the US secretary of defence, Robert Gates, announced that he wanted to... more
Bruno, Cohen's best/most offensive film to date? Or just a lesser copy of Borat?
Current TV wants your reviews to air on the channel! This week on the upsrtream show. Leave a webcam and if we use it you get a £10 voucher, text reviews earn you 1 point towards a voucher, 3 points equals a £10 voucher!
Whatever you want to say, however you want to say it.Bruno, Cohen's best/most offensive film to date? Or just a lesser copy of Borat?... more
He is a Jewish Israeli of Iraqi descent who speaks fluent Arabic.
He is a gay man in his fifties and a plumber by trade.
He has dedicated his life to helping those who are trampled on. He has stood by Jewish single mothers who pitched tents in front of the Knesset while struggling for a living wage, and by Palestinians threatened with expulsion from their homes.
He is loved by those with little power, to whom he dedicates his life, and hated by the Jewish settlers, military and police.
His crime? He tried to stop a military bulldozer from destroying the homes of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region. These homes and the families who live in them have been under Israeli occupation for 42 years. They still live without electricity, running water and other basic services. They are continuously harassed by Jewish settlers and the military.
Nawi's friends have launched a campaign to generate tens of thousands of letters to Israeli embassies all over the world before he is due to be sentenced in July.
(Watch the remarkable video of Nawi trying to stop the home demolition and his subsequent arrest.)He is a Jewish Israeli of Iraqi descent who speaks fluent Arabic.
He is a gay man... more
![Sex Advice Columnist, Dan Savage, on How to Come out to your Evangelical Family [video] - video](http://i2.crtcdn.net/images/asset/899/175/32/F18318_60x45.jpg)
